Excerpt from The Latter-Day Saints' Millennial Star, Vol. 66: January 28, 1904

Until the year 1891 Belgium was a part of the German mission. German speaking Elders labored in the eastern part as far back as twenty-five years ago. However, as most of the people speak French or Flemish, the proseou tion of the work in German was necessarily restricted. For this reason it was made a part of the Netherlands mission by President Anthon H. Lund, since which time the work has been carried on in French or Flemish. Remarkable results were achieved in Liége and vicinity by Elder J. B. Ripplinger, who labored there from 1894 to 1897. At the close of his labors there was a branch of over one hundred members. They were, however, chiefly converts who were formerly Protestants and, up to the present time, it must he confessed that the way has not been Opened for the successful preaching of the Gospel to Catholics. Of the three original branches of ten years ago in Belgium, the one in Antwerp has ceased to exist, due to the removal and emigration of the members, that of Brussels is dormant, while that of Liege and vicinity where Elders are now laboring, though not flourishing, is in good condition and some progress is being made.

The popular conception of the Dutch is, so far as I can judge, about correct. Rather inclined to be slow and plodding, taking life very seriously, we miss in them that lightness and vivacity of the races of southern Europe. It would seem that the physical features of the country have impressed themselves on the character of the people. -it is a misty, rainy, wet land, not, however, without its attractive features. The Dutch have intense love for the Vader land, are easily governed, and are very religious. The somber Calvinistic doctrines of the Reformation readily took root and have held their ground to this day.

As is well known most of the country has been literally reclaimed from the sea. For long ages European rivers have been bringing down sediment which formed a delta on a level with the ocean. This, piece by piece, has been sur rounded by dykes or embankments, the water pumped out, and the fertile land thereby rendered productive. This origin of the country formed a handy pre text for Napoleon in 1810, when he calmly annexed it, saying that it was formed from the deposits of French rivers. On a pleasant summer day the landscape is very attractive. Everything is so trim, so clean and so neat. The tiny farms, laid off with their canals instead of hedges or fences, are so green. The cottages are so bright and clean - toy houses, one could well imagine, in a toy land. Even the sleek cows contentedly browsing in the fields, each one carefully blanketed, are reminiscent of the toy painted cows of our childhood.

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